I take it that was X360 footage - I found it irritating the way player seemed to stop and clumsily adjust the camera every few seconds.

Anyway, I'm happy with the change. I found Risen a little underwhelming. I enjoyed it but I thought they played too safe - I'd played this before (ie, the Gothics) -only bigger and better and without narrowing in on a dungeon crawl.

It's also not such a big shift for me. Pirates were one of the best parts of NotR and Patty's quest chain was easily the best part of Risen to me, so pirates are an integral part of their heritage. Didn't the ships have cannons, as well?